Bereavement Ritual

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Bereavement Ritual

• Lighting a candle is a way of extending one's
  prayer and being in unity with the person on
  whose behalf the prayer is offered. In the
  lighting of candles we remember and truly live
  the words of Our Lord
• "I am the Light of the World."

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• The Lighting of the Candles is one of the rituals
  
• we use at the start of the Bereavement Support
  Group meeting
• We now invite you to join us by lighting a candle
  and
• praying together for a loved one
• As you come forward to light these remembrance
  candles, may our separate lights become one
  flame, that together we may be nourished and
  warmed by their glow

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Remembrance Mass

• Traditionally, a Remembrance Mass is celebrated
  during November, the month of the Holy Souls.
• We especially remember and pray for those gone
  before us, our loved ones who have entered into a
  new life with God.
• Our prayer for them is capable not only of
  helping them, but also making their intercession
  for us effective.

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Remembrance Mass

• brings parish community together in a
  resurrection space. (From Absence to Presence
  by David Wells, The Tablet)
• offers an opportunity for public expressions of
  bereavement and solidarity
• helps to bring healing, comfort and closure to
  the bereaved

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Remembrance Mass
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Remembrance Mass
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Remembrance Mass
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Preparation for the Remembrance Mass

• Set a date and time with the parish priest
• Invite the recently bereaved by personal
  invitation
• Open invitation to parishioners by advertising in
  the parish bulletin/pulpit
• Choose the rituals, readings, hymns and prayers
  in consultation with the celebrant

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• Choose readers, other participants and musicians
• Organise candles, tapers, special cloths,
  Remembrance book, flowers, rosemary, cards, box
• Invite greeters to assist with rituals
• Provide a Power Point (optional)
• Invite bereaved to bring a plate to share
• Prepare the room for morning tea

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Welcome to the John Paul Care Memorial Mass

• 14 November 2009

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Companions on the Journey

• We are companions on the journey,
• breaking bread and sharing life
• and in the love we bear is the hope we share
• for we believe in the love of our God,
• we believe in the love of our God.
• No longer strangers to each other,
• no longer strangers in Gods house
• we are fed and we are nourished
• by the strength of those who care,
• by the strength of those who care.

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• We are companions on the journey,
• breaking bread and sharing life
• and in the love we bear is the hope we share
• for we believe in the love of our God,
• we believe in the love of our God.
• We have been gifted with each other,
• and we are called by the word of the Lord
• to act with justice, to love tenderly,
• and to walk humbly with our God,
• to walk humbly with our God.
• With permission CCL Int Lic No 61983

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Liturgy of the Word

• First Reading Wisdom 3 1-9
• Responsorial Psalm
• Response The Lord is kind and merciful
• Second Reading
• Romans 6 3-4, 8-9

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Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, Alleluia! Come,
you whom my Father has blessed, says the Lord
inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the
foundation of the world. Alleluia Gospel
Matthew 5 1-12
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Prayers of the Faithful

• Response Lord hear our prayer

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In Memory of You

• Before his death, Jesus gathered his friends,
• longing to share his life with them,
• longing to make them one.
• And at the table of Gods love
• He took the bread, He said the blessing.
• He broke the bread saying
• Take this and eat.
• This is my Body, given for you

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• Chorus
• It is as You have asked O God,
• That we do the same, in memory of You.
• As you have asked O God, in memory of You.

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• Before His death, Jesus surrendered Himself,
• giving up His life for all,
• giving hope to a broken world.
• And at the table of Gods love
• He took the wine, He said the blessing.
• He shared the cup saying
• Take this and drink.
• This is my life blood, given for you.
• With permission CCL Int Lic No 61983

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Communion Reflection

• God of heaven and earth
• We pray for one another, for our families and
  friends, through whom we learn to love and to be
  loved.
• Thank you for all who care for us.
• Give us grace to care for others according to
  their need in love and understanding.

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• We thank you for the unfailing love you hold out
  to all people.
• Comfort and heal those in sorrow, need,
  sickness, or any other trouble. Give them courage
  and hope in their distress.
• Bless those who minister to them, especially the
  staff and volunteers of our Hospice services.

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• We pray for those who are bereaved
• those who have just lost someone they love,
• and those who still ache after many long days.
• We pray for those who had unexpected loss
• who find it hard to return to life and the
  future.
• May they experience the life to be found in you,
  a life stronger than death itself.

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• We remember with gratitude your many gifts to us
  in creation and the rich heritage of our land.
• Help us and people everywhere to share with
  justice and peace the resources of the earth.
• Give wisdom to those in authority among us and
  to leaders of the nations.

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• We pray for one another as we gather here in
  remembrance and tribute. Grant us grace and
  wisdom to serve you and our neighbour.
• Unite us in truth and love. Grant that what we
  have asked in faith we may by your grace receive
  and to you be all the praise.
• Amen

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Bring Us Home

• Chorus
• Bring us home to you O God.
• Bring us home to you that we might live.
• Bring us home.

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• Speak to the heart of your people O God.
• We wander and thirst
• through so many desert places.
• We long to see your face, to hear your voice,
• to find our way.
• Chorus

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• Speak to the heart of your people O God.
• Our thoughts and our ways
• are far removed from your own.
• You seem to understand
• this struggle for justice, for meaning.
• Chorus

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• Speak to the heart of your people O God.
• Were lost and alone.
• Our hearts have strayed far from you.
• We hunger for you O God.
• Our hearts are restless and aching.
• Chorus
• With permission CCL Int Lic No 61983

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• Please join us for
• Morning Tea
• in the Parish Centre
• All Welcome